President Mahinda Rajapaksa is eligible to contest a third term,
according to the Supreme Court, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said in
the Parliament short while ago.

Irrigation Minister Silva said that the Supreme Court has ruled that
the President is allowed to call the election, which is widely expected
in early January. He said that the Supreme Court has unanimously held
that there is no legal impediment for the president to call the
election.

President Rajapaksa referred two questions to the SC to get its
consideration and for an opinion in order to elucidate whether he has
any impediment to be elected for as further term. Subsequently, in a
letter addressed to the Bar Association, the Chief Registrar of the SC
has requested Bar Association of Sri Lanka to submit its written
submissions with regard to this, on or before 7 November.